San Diego  A man who authorities said lured an Escondido boy to get on a plane with him to Florida told the 14-year-old in an email that he could legally decide where he wanted to live, according to a federal court document.

The federal complaint, filed Monday against Tony McLeod, 36, of Tampa, Fla., charges him with enticement of a minor.

McLeod engaged in conduct with the boy “for the purpose of engaging in unlawful sexual activity,” Daphne Hearn, special agent in charge of the FBI in San Diego, said in a statement Monday.

Authorities have said McLeod had contacted the boy through PlayStation online video games. McLeod was arrested June 11 on a kidnapping charge after the plane landed in Tampa. The boy was returned to his parents in California the next day.

According to the complaint, phone records show that from May 24 to May 26, McLeod repeatedly sent texts to the boy, at times saying that he loved him. On May 26, McLeod texted “I don’t like you being there,” and said he wanted to get the boy “out of there soon,” the complaint said.

McLeod also sent explicit sexual photos, including of himself, the complaint said.

On May 27, McLeod sent a text saying that California law “basically says that a person 14 years of age or older is competent enough to make decisions of where they’re going t(o) live, including emancipation.” He said he included a link to the emancipation law.

Under California law, a minor can receive a declaration of emancipation from a judge, but only after meeting extensive strict criteria.

McLeod appeared last week in a Florida court and was ordered held without bail. The Tampa Bay Times reported that he was working as a phone switchboard operator for a hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla.

In San Diego County, McLeod faces charges including child abduction, meeting with a minor to commit a sex offense and online enticement of a minor.